Nearly eight months after the idea was first proposed, residents will now be able to donate gently-used home goods for those in need, instead of putting them by the curb for the trash. Through the efforts of Recycling Coordinator Dan Rainn, Bethlehem was selected by Habitat for Humanity Capital District as a collection site for its ReStore initiative. Residents will be able to bring unwanted items to the town’s transfer station, so they can be purchased. The money raised goes towards the Capital District Habitat for Humanity to build homes locally for those in need. Rainn said the organization contacted the town after a similar program was a success in Clifton Park. He first proposed the idea to the Town Board in November. “They believe this will be only the second location in the country to accept items on behalf of the organization as a non-Habitat location,” said Rainn. “So, this is a significant opportunity for our community.” A ribbon cutting was held on Thursday, July 23. On hand were members of the town’s Sanitation Department, Rainn and David Harrison, manager of the local ReStore. A 40-foot storage container was brought to the transfer station by the organization. Residents can now bring any items they wish to donate and put them in the container. Habitat for Humanity is responsible for taking the items to its ReStore locations, with pick-up once a week. “We have a lot of residents in this community who care deeply about Habitat for Humanity as an organization,” said Rainn. “About 15 percent of all ReStore donations in the Capital Region come from Delmar, and that doesn’t include Bethlehem as a whole.” The ReStore warehouse — which sells low-priced furniture and home appliances to help raise money to build affordable homes through Habitat for Humanity Capital District — is one of 180 in the country. Last year, the warehouse was moved to a different location on Fuller Road in Colonie after the store saw an increase in donations. The store is open to the public, with everything moderately priced so those who need to furnish their homes on a budget can purchase them. All of the money is then kept by the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate to build more homes in the area. Harrison said residents can drop-off household goods, furniture and appliances. The organization will also take construction materials, cabinetry, plumbing and electrical equipment, and paint. Rainn and Harrison suggested the new site would be a great place for developers and construction companies to donate extra material. Residents can donate any time the transfer station is open. Initially, a representative from Habitat will be on hand one day a week to help those get accustomed to the program. No additional resources needed to be spent by the town. Harrison said the hope is to have more towns take part in the project to make it easier for people to donate. However, residents throughout the region can call Habitat for Humanity to have a truck come to their home to pick-up items they wish to donate. “We’re growing extremely fast, so we’re taking this project slow,” said Harrison. “But the items are needs, and we hope to expand in the future.”